What is where is marion county located in florida?

Marion County is a county located in North Central Florida, in the state of Florida, in the United States. Its county seat is the city of Ocala. Marion County covers an area of 1,663 square miles (4,305 km²) and has a population of approximately 350,000 people as of the 2020 United States Census. The county is part of the Ocala Metropolitan Statistical Area and is bordered by Alachua, Putnam, Lake, Sumter, Levy, and Citrus counties. The county is known for its natural springs, scenic horse farms, and outdoor recreational opportunities. It is also home to the Ocala National Forest, which is the second-largest national forest in Florida.